Declan Rice Confident in England’s Set-Piece Threat at World Cup

TITLE: Declan Rice Confident in England’s Set-Piece Threat at World Cup
SLUG: declan-rice-confident-england-set-piece-threat-world-cup
EXCERPT: Midfielder Declan Rice believes England’s set-piece prowess, particularly from corners, can be a major weapon at the World Cup, citing his own form and the team’s dedicated work on dead-ball situations.
CATEGORY: News
TAGS: Declan Rice, England National Team, World Cup, Set Pieces, Football
SEO_TITLE: Declan Rice confident in England’s World Cup set-piece threat
SEO_DESCRIPTION: England midfielder Declan Rice expresses strong belief in the team’s corner-taking ability and its potential to create scoring opportunities at the World Cup.
MEDIA_QUERY: Declan Rice England football
IMAGE_ALT: Declan Rice, England midfielder
CONTENT: Declan Rice, a key figure for England and a talisman for Arsenal, has expressed significant confidence in the Three Lions’ ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities, particularly corners, during the World Cup. The midfielder feels his own form from dead-ball situations is strong enough to consistently create chances.

“I feel like now every time I put down a ball for a set-piece – whether it’s a corner or a wide free-kick – I feel like I’m going to get an assist or make something happen that’s dangerous,” Rice told BBC Sport. “That’s a good mentality to have over set-pieces… and England fans can be excited.”

This newfound belief stems partly from Rice’s experience at Arsenal, where he became a designated set-piece taker in January 2024. Under the guidance of set-piece coach Nico Jover, the Gunners developed a reputation for their effectiveness from corners, scoring a record 19 in their Premier League title-winning season. Rice attributes his development to the club’s coaching staff who saw his potential to deliver balls into dangerous areas.

England showed glimpses of this threat in their opening World Cup match, a 4-2 victory. Harry Kane’s first goal came from a penalty earned after a Rice cross, and his second header originated from a Rice corner. This suggests that the work being done on the training ground is translating to the competitive arena.

Set-Piece Strategy Under Tuchel

New England manager Thomas Tuchel has placed an emphasis on replicating the tactical approaches seen in top Premier League clubs, and set-pieces have been a focus. While time for dedicated set-piece practice is limited due to the demands of a tournament schedule, Rice confirmed that the team has been implementing a consistent strategy since Tuchel’s arrival in January 2025.

“A lot of the way we’ve taken them hasn’t changed much in terms of the movements, the way I deliver the ball,” Rice explained. “This has been going on in the lead-up for the past year, so the lads know what’s coming… where I’m going to deliver the ball. So there’s a real gameplan and it’s just on me to deliver and obviously the boys have to free themselves up in the box.”

The midfielder, who also serves as vice-captain for England, is now considered one of the most consistent corner takers in the Premier League. His ability to consistently find teammates in dangerous positions adds another dimension to England’s attacking threat.

Reece James on Injuries and Performance

In related news, England’s first-choice right-back Reece James addressed the persistent questions surrounding his injury record. The Chelsea captain has faced scrutiny over his availability due to past injuries, but he insists he is focused on performing when fit.

“People always talk about injuries and availability, and to me it’s so boring now,” James stated. “I have one job, which is to be the best I can when I’m on the pitch. To be honest, I understand the stigma at the start, but after a while it gets boring. I’ve been fit for a long time before my last injury, and I don’t listen to too much noise.”

James returned from a four-week hamstring injury in time to be selected for the World Cup squad and finished the club season with 39 appearances. He acknowledged the “huge threats” within the England squad, suggesting that the team possesses multiple players capable of impactful contributions.

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Player | Declan Rice |
| Team | England National Team |
| Competition | World Cup |
| Key Skill | Set-piece delivery (corners) |
| Arsenal context | Scored from 19 corners in Premier League title season |

The focus on set-pieces by both Rice and the England coaching staff highlights a tactical evolution within the national team. As the tournament progresses, this specialized attacking approach could prove to be a decisive factor in tight matches, offering England a valuable edge beyond open play.

Source: BBC Sport Football, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cj6g1dnr12yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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